Toronto FC regained top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 0-0 draw with Orlando City on Wednesday but dropped two more valuable points at home in the process.
It was the third straight draw at BMO Field for Toronto, extending its unbeaten streak to four. Greg Vanney's team has lost just once in 12 games (7-1-4). But it has not won at home since Aug. 6 (going 0-1-3), squandering points in its stretch drive.
Toronto played the last 20 minutes a man down after Tosaint Ricketts got a second yellow card. Referee Alan Kelly ruled that Ricketts' boot made contact with Uruguayan defender Jose Aja during an attempted bicycle kick. Replays seemed to suggest otherwise but Aja seemed to make the most of it and Ricketts was penalized for dangerous play.
Toronto (13-8-10) had its chances against an Orlando team that has been an adventure in defending this season, having conceded a league-worst 57 goals coming into the game. Orlando (7-10-14) had lost its last three matches, giving up four goals in each.
Toronto substitute Will Johnson came close to deciding it, shooting just wide in stoppage time.
Wednesday's match represented Toronto's game in hand with the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, both 13-9-9. All three teams entered the day at 48 points, with only Toronto in action.
The tie did allow Toronto to match its single-season record for points (49), set last year when the team went 15-15-4.
Toronto clinched a playoff spot last weekend. It needed a win Wednesday or a Montreal loss or tie with San Jose to ensure finishing in the top four and getting a home playoff game. Montreal did not oblige, defeating San Jose 3-1.
A Toronto win was also desirable to keep in contact with West-leading FC Dallas (15-8-8, 53 points) in the Supporters Shield race.
Orlando came into the game in eighth place in the East, three points behind sixth-place D.C. United which holds the last playoff spot. D.C. United beat Columbus 3-0 Wednesday to extend its lead.
Both teams had their moments in the first half but Toronto looked more likely to score before a crowd of 23,805 on a windy night at BMO Field.
Orlando had a sloppy start, giving the ball away on several occasions and Ricketts came close with a corner off a header that went high. But the visitors had the best early scoring chance when a Brek Shea cross deflected to Larin, who poked it towards goal to force a diving save from Alex Bono in the 11th minute.
Orlando captain Kaka showed his skill by dribbling past Armando Cooper like the Toronto midfielder was rooted to the ground. Cooper showed his flair later in the half, flicking the ball past Shea.
Marky Delgado shot just wide in the 19th minute after a fine setup involving a Jozy Altidore back-heel and a deft Jonathan Osorio through ball. A sliding Justin Morrow just missed the ball as it flew past him.
Toronto captain Michael Bradley had several chances to whip free kicks in during the first half.
Osorio, who had a fine game, took advantage of sloppy Orlando defending to find Ricketts behind the defence in the 31st minute but goalkeeper Joe Bendik made the save.
Orlando manager Jason Kreis replaced forward Carlos Rivas with Cristian Higuita in the 40th minute, strengthening a midfield that Toronto had started to boss.
Osorio headed high after an excellent buildup featuring Bradley and Jozy Altidore in the 49th minute. And Delgado forced a good save from Bendik in the 65th minute.
With Toronto playing three games this week, Vanney made four changes with Bono, Cooper, Ricketts and Delgado getting starts.
Star striker Sebastian Giovinco, who has been out since Aug. 27 with quadriceps and adductor strains, did not dress.
Orlando forward Cyle Larin had his own cheering section. The 21-year-old from nearby Brampton, Ont., estimated 30 friends and family were in attendance.
The Canadian international scored in both of Orlando's previous games against Toronto this season. Orlando won 3-2 in June — on a 100th-minute penalty by Kaka — and lost 2-1 on a 86th-minute Altidore goal, both at Camping World Stadium.
NOTES: Morrow made his 100th appearance for Toronto in all competitions, joining Ashtone Morgan and Jonathan Osorio ... Brek Shea will miss Orlando's weekend game against Montreal for yellow card accumulation ... Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment provided 1,500 tickets to the Canadian Arab Institute for Syrian refugees to attend the game.
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